Monday, July 2, 2012

Medicare and Medical Education- Open Your Eyes

Every now and then I hear a medical resident grumble about government intrusion into medicine. To me, this is much a like a 'keep your government hands off my medicare' moment. 


Here is a letter published in Academic Medicine underscoring the importance of knowing that all ACGME clinical residency training programs are (and have been) funded by Medicare.  This important fact is frequently not known by residents (shocking) and by the public (not so shocking).


That is right. Medicare (i.e. the Federal Government) funds the training of doctors in the USA.  So, the next time you hear a doctor espouse outrage about government intrusion into health  care, keep in mind that his or her residency training was paid for by the US taxpayer.


Knowledge can be enlightening.